Saturday event aimed at athletes, musicians and cheerleaders
By Howard Buck
Published: August 5, 2010, 12:00am
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• What: “Young Champions” teen athlete-participant advanced heart screening by SouthWest Washinton medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Center.
• When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
• Where: Kessid Center, 16096 S.E. 15th St., Vancouver.
• Who: Any Clark County middle- or high school student athlete, band member or cheerleader, 13-18 years old. Also, any child of that age who may be at risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (genetic predisposition is common).
• Cost: No charge, but $25 contribution encouraged when possible.
• Information: Registration is required. To schedule a screening, which includes a personal and family health history review, call 360-514-1707 or register at http://www.swHeartCheck.org. Students must have a signed parent-guardian consent form and completed health questionnaire to receive the screening. Forms are available on the web link and also at the event.
But teen athletes, cheerleaders and musicians who begin prepping this month for a new season do need a healthy heart to compete, excel and to perform again.
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And so, on Saturday the Quinn Driscoll Foundation and Southwest Washington Medical Center will co-sponsor an all-day advanced heart screening at east Vancouver’s Kessid Center.
Aimed at local teen athletes, cheerleaders or band members age 13-18, the first “Young Champions” screening offers an echocardiogram and ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram) as well as professional review of individual and family health history.
Operated by SWMC’s Heart and Vascular Center, the screening runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is no charge, but a $25 donation to the Quinn Driscoll Foundation is appreciated to support future screenings.
This heart screening can detect undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
It was just such an episode that struck 13-year-old Quinn Driscoll, a student athlete at Wy’east Middle School in Vancouver. A gifted athlete, he died of cardiac arrest while running on the track during gym class in June 2009.
Saturday’s screening does not take the place of common, comprehensive pre-performance physical exams required for school students who join extracurricular activities.
But, it could be a lifesaver. HCM — typically a thickened wall of the heart muscle — is believed to be present in about 1 of every 500 persons.
• What: "Young Champions" teen athlete-participant advanced heart screening by SouthWest Washinton medical Center's Heart and Vascular Center.
• When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
• Where: Kessid Center, 16096 S.E. 15th St., Vancouver.
• Who: Any Clark County middle- or high school student athlete, band member or cheerleader, 13-18 years old. Also, any child of that age who may be at risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (genetic predisposition is common).
• Cost: No charge, but $25 contribution encouraged when possible.
• Information: Registration is required. To schedule a screening, which includes a personal and family health history review, call 360-514-1707 or register at <a href="http://www.swHeartCheck.org">http://www.swHeartCheck.org</a>. Students must have a signed parent-guardian consent form and completed health questionnaire to receive the screening. Forms are available on the web link and also at the event.
• On the Web: <a href="http://www.quinndriscollfoundation.org/">http://www.quinndriscollfoundation.org/</a>.
Thousands of deaths occur in the U.S. each year. Event organizers say a new deadly tragedy occurs, on average, every three days in organized youth sports nationwide.
Previously, the Legacy Health System has offered young athlete HCM screenings in Portland.
This first Vancouver event is the most recent of activities sponsored by the Quinn Driscoll Foundation, launched by Quinn’s family after his death.
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group focused on improved education and screening of young people, adult coaches and others regarding HCM, and expanded distribution of automated external defibrillators in the community.
